Euphorbia plant named &#34;Charam&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Euphorbia named ‘Charam’ that is distinguished by a compact clumping growth habit, terminal cymes that turn increasingly red in late winter, then open into yellow-green floral heads that completely cover the plant from March through May. In combination with its hardiness and a long period of garden interest, these traits set ‘Charam’ apart from all other existing varieties of Euphorbia known to the inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofEuphorbia, a hardy perennial that is grown for use as an ornamentallandscape plant. The new invention will be referred to hereinafter bythe cultivar name ‘Charam’.

[0002] ‘Charam’ was discovered by the inventor in 1992 in Bury St.Edmunds, England as a hybrid seedling that occurred as the result of anatural cross between the female parent Euphorbia characias subsp.wulfenii ‘Purple and Gold’ (not patented) and the male parentEuphorbia martinii (not patented) ‘Charam’ is unique and was selectedfor its compact clumping growth habit, length of garden interest, andterminal cymes that turn increasingly red in late winter, then open toyellow and green in spring forming a ‘hummock’ completely covered byflower color. The flowers are held on terminal stems and born axial tothe leaf joints with two cyathia cupped by two basally fused floralleaves, also called involucres.

[0003] The closest comparison plants are Euphorbia characias ‘HumptyDumpty’ (not patented) and Euphorbia×martinii ‘Red Dwarf’ (notpatented). ‘Charam’ is distinguishable from both plants by its fullfloral heads as well as its yellow-green nectary and ovary. TheEuphorbias of this group are considered monoecious. In most Euphorbiasthe stamens mature after the female parts of the flower. However thusfar the inventor has not observed stamens and suspects ‘Charam’ to bemonoecious with rudimentary stamens that may not be visible to the nakedeye.

[0004] The first asexual reproduction of ‘Charam’ was accomplished bythe inventor using the method of cuttings and was carried out in BurySt. Edmunds, England in 1992. Since that time subsequent generationshave been determined stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and representthe distinguishing characteristics of ‘Charam’ . These traits incombination distinguish ‘Charam’ from all other existing varieties ofEuphorbia. ‘Charam’ has not been tested under all possible conditionsand phenotypic differences may be observed with variations inenvironmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without anyvariance in genotype.

[0006] 1. Euphorbia ‘Charam’ exhibits a compact clumping growth habit.

[0007] 2. Euphorbia ‘Charam’ exhibits terminal cymes that turnincreasingly red in late winter, then open to yellow-green from Marchthrough May.

[0008] 3. Euphorbia ‘Charam’ is evergreen and offers a long period ofgarden interest.

[0009] 4. Euphorbia ‘Charam’ is a complete ‘hummock’ of flower colorwhen in full bloom.

[0010] 5. Euphorbia ‘Charam’ is hardy to minus 12° Centigrade.

[0011] 6. Euphorbia ‘Charam’ is 70 cm. in height and 70 cm. in width atmaturity.

BRIEF DECRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying photographs illustrate the distinguishing traitsof the new cultivar ‘Charam’. The photographs were taken in spring usingplants that were 12 months and grown outdoors in two-gallon containers.The photograph on sheet 1 is taken from a side perspective andillustrates the lower leaves as well as the blooms. The photograph onsheet 2 is a close-up of the inflorescence. The photograph on sheet 3shows ‘Charam’ in full bloom (the larger plant) planted in the groundwith three different small plants in the foreground. The photographswere made using conventional photographic techniques and although flowerand foliage colors in the photographs may appear different from actualcolors due to light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible byconventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0013] The following is a detailed botanical description of the newEuphorbia cultivar ‘Charam’. Observations, measurements, values andcomparisons have been collected in spring in Arroyo Grande, Calif. fromplants that were 12 months and grown outdoors in two-gallon containers.Color determinations are made in accordance with The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart from London England, except where general colorterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growingrequirements of the new variety are similar to the species and there areno known growing problems, diseases or pests.

[0014] Botanical classification: Euphorbia ‘Charam’.

[0015] Common name: Spurge.

[0016] Parentage: Euphorbia ‘Charam’ is a natural seedling that resultedfrom the spontaneous hybridization of the following parents:

[0017] Female parent: Euphorbia characias sub sp.wulfrenii ‘Purple andGold’.

[0018] Male parent: Euphorbia martinii. Propagation method: Terminalstem cuttings Rooting habit: Fibrous rooting habit Time to developroots: In California 2-3 weeks are required for roots to develop on aninitial cutting Crop time: In California 6-8 months are required todevelop a finished one-gallon container from a rooted cutting Growthhabit: Upright, compact and clumping growth habit Use: Ornamentallandscape plant Type: Perennial herb Vigor: Vigorous Height of plant:50-70 cm. in height Width of plant: 50-70 cm. in width Sexuality:‘Charam’ is assumed to be monoecious with rudimentary stamens thatmature after the female parts. Cultural requirements: Plant in full sunand well-drained soil Hardiness: Hardy to minus 12° Centigrade. Stem:

[0019] Branching habit: Upright.

[0020] Trunk dimensions: 2 cm. in diameter and 3 cm. from soil level tofirst branching.

[0021] Stem color: Mostly 144A with streaks of 59A.

[0022] Stem shape: Cylindrical to columnar.

[0023] Stem width: .75 cm. in diameter.

[0024] Stem length: 30 cm. in length.

[0025] Internode length: .50 cm. between nodes.

[0026] Stem surface: Mostly smooth with some pubescence. Basal surfaceto mid-stem is heavily covered with bundle scars. Some terminal stemsurfaces are rugose.

[0027] Bundle scars: Present on stem surface.

[0028] Shape of bundle scars: Linear shaped.

[0029] Dimensions of bundle scars: 3 mm. in length and 1 mm. in width.

[0030] Color of bundle scars: 199D.

[0031] Quantity of bundle scars: Numerous amounting to approximately 42on a 20 cm. long stem.

[0032] Stem texture: Fleshy and flexible.

[0033] Color of pubescence: 198D.

[0034]Other.—Plant parts exude a white milky sap that can be toxic andcan ellicit dermal irritation.

[0035] Foliage:

[0036]Type.—Evergreen.

[0037]Leaf arrangement.—Whorled.

[0038]Leaf division.—Simple.

[0039]Leaf shape.—Oblanceolate to spatulate.

[0040]Mature leaf length.—9 cm. in length.

[0041]Mature leaf width.—1 cm. in width.

[0042]Young leaf length.—2.5 cm. in length.

[0043]Young leaf width.—.75 cm. in width.

[0044]Internode length.—1 cm. between nodes.

[0045]Leaf apex.—Acuminate.

[0046]Leaf base.—Truncate.

[0047]Quantity of leaves.—Numerous amounting to approximately 25 leaveson a 7 cm. long stem.

[0048]Leaf venation pattern.—Pinnate pattern with a barely visiblemid-vein on the adaxial surface and a prominent protruding mid-vein onthe abaxial surface.

[0049]Vein color (adaxial surface).—138B.

[0050]Vein color (abaxial surface).—59A.

[0051]Margin.—Entire.

[0052]Leaf surface (abaxial surface).—Pubescent.

[0053]Leaf surface (adaxial surface).—Sparsely puberulent.

[0054]Color of pubescence.—198D.

[0055]Leaf attachment.—Sessile.

[0056]Mature leaf color (adaxial surface).—137A.

[0057]Mature leaf color (abaxial surface).—138A.

[0058]Young leaf color (adaxial surface).—Mostly 137C and tinged with59A at margins.

[0059]Young leaf color (abaxial surface).—Mostly 137D and tinged with59A towards the apex.

[0060] Flower:

[0061]Inflorescence.—Terminal cyme .

[0062]Dimensions of inflorescence.—7 cm. in length and 4 cm. in width.

[0063]Flowering season.—Late winter until late spring.

[0064]Peduncle dimensions.—15 cm in length and 2 mm. in width.

[0065]Peduncle color.—Mostly 144A with tinge of 59A.

[0066]Peduncle surface.—Sparsely puberulent.

[0067]Color of pubescence.—198D.

[0068]Petals.—Apetalous.

[0069]Sepals.—Asepalous.

[0070]Floral leaf attachment.—Connate perfoliate.

[0071]Dimensions of floral leaves.—12 mm. in length and 2 cm. in width.

[0072]Shape of floral leaf.—Closest to reniform.

[0073]Color of floral leaf.—144B with streaks of 151B.

[0074]Number of floral leaves.—Two in number.

[0075]Fused or unfused.—Basally fused.

[0076]Internode length.—5-6 cm. between nodes.

[0077]Number of cyathium.—Two cupped within the center of two basallyfused floral leaves.

[0078]Shape of cyathium.—Cupulate.

[0079]Number of floral leaves on each cyathium.—Two.

[0080]Fused or unfused.—Basally fused.

[0081]Shape of floral leaves on cyathia.—Closest to reniform.

[0082]Color of cyathium.—144C.

[0083]Dimensions of cyathium.—5 mm. in length and 6 mm. in width.

[0084]Nectary.—Four flattened glands on four fused bracts.

[0085]Shape of nectary.—Flattened crescent shaped glands with two horns.

[0086]Dimensions of nectary.—6 mm. in height and 6 mm. in diameter.

[0087]Color of mature nectary.—161A.

[0088]Color of young nectary.—144A.

[0089]Position of nectaries.—One green nectary in the center of eachcyathium and one yellow nectary axillary to the floral leaf and basal toeach pair of cyathia.

[0090] Reproductive organs:

[0091]Stamens.—Six rudimentary stamens that are visible with a lensafter the female parts Have matured.

[0092]Stamen color.—200A.

[0093]Stamen dimensions.—Less than .25 mm. in length and less than .25mm. in diameter.

[0094]Anther shape.—Oval to round.

[0095]Anther color.—200A.

[0096]Ovary dimensions.—1.5 mm. in width and 1.5 mm. in length.

[0097]Shape of ovary.—Globose.

[0098]Position of ovary.—Superior.

[0099]Color of ovary.—144A.

[0100]Pollen.—Absent.

[0101]Pistil.—One in number.

[0102]Color of pistil.—144A.

[0103]Dimensions of pistil.—7 mm. length and less than 1 mm. in width.

[0104]Style.—Three in number:

[0105]Style shape.—Bifid:

[0106]Style color.—144A.

[0107]Style dimensions.—Less than 1 mm. in width and 1 mm. in height.

[0108]Stigma.—Six in number.

[0109]Stigma color.—144A

[0110]Dimensions of Stigma.—Less than .75 mm. in width and less than .75mm. in height.

[0111] Seed:

[0112]Seed has not been observed.—

1. A new and distinct cultivar of euphorbia plant named ‘charam’ asdescribed and illustrated: 5 10 1 5 20 25 30 35